The 11 Best Places to Go Glamping

We've all been asked that very question—but we do not all get excited.

For those who enjoy convening with nature from a distance, the thought of spending the night in the woods with little more than a sleeping bag is more than a little intimidating. Take a cleansing breath, though, because not every camping experience is full of spiders and—gasp—going to the bathroom outdoors. From full-on glamping sites to grounds with contemporary amenities, camping neophytes, we can guarantee you'll sleep soundly at these 11 destinations (sometimes even on luxury sheets).

Nestled on the grounds of La Tourelle Resort and Spa in Upstate New York exists an elevated camping experience. Pull open the door of an airy tent to find a huge bed, hardwood floor and classic safari-inspired furnishings. Breakfast is provided to guests in a larger tent nearby, but campers are encouraged to take a bowl of something to go to enjoy from their own tent's private deck. A fire is lit at sunset: Pack your own picnic snacks, pick up a s'mores kit from the camp store and Firelight will complete the evening with a wine tasting.

At this nomadic hotel and campground in west Texas, guests can choose from shelters ranging from vintage trailers to scout tents to Sioux-style tepees for their overnight stay, all of which offer a unique respite from the "built world." The site offers regular workshops and events, like campfire cooking with chef Lou Lambert, free music shows and weekend happy hours.

Overlooking Lone Man Creek, this safari-inspired experience is the perfect combination of adventure and luxury, and the ideal location for a romantic getaway. In addition to breathtaking scenery, the site offers an array of outdoor activities like hiking, swimming in Lone Man Creek and exploring Native American artifacts around the area. The accommodations are rustic yet chic, so after all that outdoors-ing, you'll spend the night in a plush king-size bed with down pillows.

A pastoral camping experience for the whole family awaits: Feather Down hosts invite guests to stay on their working farms for an unparalleled look into farm life. Introduced in the Netherlands more than a decade ago, the project was so successful they began sites in the Germany and France, and now one is available in the U.S. A stay comes with a wood-fired oven—plus eggs from Kinnikinnick hens you can collect and buy, bedding options to sleep six and a tour of the farm. Guests are invited to explore and relax as they please, leaving city life a distant memory.

Some people drive camper vans to the woods, pitch a fire to cook dinner, then sleep under the stars. For those who don't want to get that rustic, we present to you fully restored and amenity-filled vintage Florida VW campers. Each van has been fully restored for safety, yet all maintain that classic retro charm. Renters drive their vibrant vans, each with a kitchen (including a two-burner gas stove), dining room and bedroom in the backseat, to explore the gorgeous Floridian scenery.

Amenities of a typical resort blended with the away-from-everything joys of camping await all who stay at El Capitan Canyon. More than 300 acres of seaside property are available to pitch your (proverbial) tent without actually leaving civilization—Santa Barbara's famous wine country is just an hour north. Book a cedar cabin or safari tent in one of the site's four villages to sleep, then head outside for yoga, barbecues and concerts. Prefer solitude? Find a corner by the pool or schedule a massage.

A log cabin supported by two large pine trees is redefining camping: This magical two-story tree house is an ideal convergence of the natural and built worlds. With more than 30 windows throughout the space, guests feel as though they're in a nest, yet there's a sturdy roof and walls enclosing the lodge for maximum shelter from the elements. Available for booking year-round, the lodge has a large bedroom, living and dining rooms, and a winding staircase built around a maple tree.

This resort has three unique options for camping in style. The first is the Autonomous tent, a cocoon-shaped, 500-square-foot gem built into a mountain, complete with its own bathroom, deck and outdoor fireplace. Fully solar-powered, the space takes guests literally "off the grid" without sacrificing comfort. Next up are the Treebones yurts, each with its own large bed and deck. Site number three, known as the Human Nest, isn't glamping per se, but is too cool not to mention. Made entirely of woven wood by a local artist, the nest is perhaps more rustic for the average overnight, but it is a perfect design-heavy getaway for an adventure seeker.

A trip to the Pacific Northwest is incomplete without a night spent under the stars, so Under Canvas Glacier provides a compromise in the form of Safari tents. Accommodations for two adults and two to four children come in three sizes, with a wood burning stove and amenities on a sliding scale (deluxe and suite options offer private bathrooms and a deck, larger beds and larger tents). For those who prefer more enclosure, there are also tree house and cabin sleeping options.

The Bali Cottage is an ideal venue for a romantic island getaway. The oceanfront properties on the Big Island have open kitchens and patios, and are surrounded by lush private gardens, where guests can enjoy the complimentary bottle of wine that comes with the rental. Pack a picnic, then take a quick walk across the street to the (clothing-optional) beach. Being surrounded by tropical fruit and coastal views is a blessing for those who want to escape from society, but the space is two miles from a farmers' market and bar, and a short drive from the charming town of Pahoa.

This luxury campsite, located just two and a half hours north of San Francisco, is the perfect excuse to spend a long weekend outside the city. Each of its 10 safari tents have an ocean view, so you'll wake up every morning to a scenic dose of the California coast. Guests won't find any sleeping bags, as they'll sleep soundly on memory-foam beds with down comforters. Visitors also have access to plenty of activities, including hiking, kayaking, whale watching and nightly campfires.

Can't make it to California? The company recently debuted Terra Glamping Events, a luxury pop-up lodging and event service that will kick off on the East Coast. The company will glamp out your next event with fully furnished lavish tents anywhere in the Hamptons, Catskills and New York City area.

Photo: Terra Glamping

Whether your idea of the perfect picnic is cooking in the wilderness or sipping a summery cocktail at a sidewalk café, we’ve got everything you need to spend your Summer in the Wild. Let the outdoor entertaining begin.

This article was originally published on 6/13/16 and was updated by Delia Mooney with additional text and photography on 6/6/17.

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